October 10 is World Mental Health Day and local charity, Mental Health Resource are using the day to launch an appeal to raise vital funds and shine a light on the challenges that some residents face with access to mental health care…
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is, ‘Make Mental Health and Wellbeing For All a Global Priority’. It gives us an opportunity to talk about the importance of mental wellbeing and why we need to look after it.
The positive characteristics of an area like Tunbridge Wells can often mask health inequalities in the borough, and a recent needs analysis conducted by the Kent Community Foundation revealed there are significant pockets of deprivation in some wards. Tunbridge Wells is the third-ranking district across Kent and Medway for prevalence of serious mental health disorder, while levels of self-harm in Tunbridge Wells are the highest in Kent.
Mental Health Resource, located in Grosvenor Park and established in 1993, is playing an active role in making wellbeing a priority for residents.
They provide a range of free wellbeing activities, support groups, outreach support for adults, wellbeing sessions for teenagers and an out-of-hours Sunday afternoon service.
They also provide community advocacy and advocacy for those detained under the Mental Health Act. Their projects supported 800 people last year, however, following the effects of the pandemic and with a rise in living costs, the charity is seeing a steep rise in their client numbers.
Rachel Corry, Charity Manager, said: “We’ve seen a 48 per cent rise in clients to our Hub Project alone since last year, but we also know there are others in our borough who desperately need our support. We’re working hard to make our activities as accessible as possible, so we can tackle the mental health inequality in our town.”
To coincide with World Mental Health Day, the charity has launched an appeal to raise vital funds so they can reach vulnerable people in the borough who need support for their wellbeing.
As part of this appeal, the charity are inviting guests to attend their charity auction fundraising event on Saturday, November 26 from 5pm to 8pm.
Supported by Alex and Olga Pushkin, the event will take place at Pushkin Antiques and guests will be invited to bid on lots in the auction, while enjoying champagne and canapes.
For details of how to register for the event, to make a financial donation or to donate for the auction, visit: mentalhealthresource.org.uk
